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2 <br />pursue changes in the current rules to limit rental licensing. <br />This left the commissioners trying to imagine problems that <br />might occur, followed by a discussion about limits on "long- <br />term" rentals and bans on "short-term" rentals to solve what <br />appears to be imagined issues that have not occurred in the <br />City. The commission seemed to struggle with why they were <br />being asked to limit licensing when there was no defined issue <br />they were to address. It did not sound like the commission was <br />given the ability to consider additional data gathering or <br />otherwise understand the goals of the exercise or propose <br />strategies to explore the topic. <br /> <br />It also sounded like Council & Planning have been deliberating <br />changes to rental zoning without the benefit of stakeholder <br />input. No actual stakeholder input was discussed in the <br />meeting that I attended. This raises an important question <br />about whether the City has considered inviting stakeholder <br />input at all. In my limited experience, engaging stakeholders as <br />partners to help understand the issues of concern, and working <br />to solve them together can lead to better outcomes while <br />empowering the community. Otherwise deliberating--without <br />engagement--to change rules and impact property owners that <br />are operating in compliance with current rules is a mistake that <br />can lead to unintended consequences for the community and <br />for the city government. <br /> <br />Policies developed in a vacuum, no matter how well- <br />intentioned, may fail to address real issues or could create new <br />problems that proper analysis & consultation could have <br />identified in advance. It is important that the City partner with <br />those who are directly involved in the rental housing market <br />have a voice in this deliberation process. Residents and non- <br />residents licensed by the city to market the real estate they <br />own have on-the-ground insights and will be responsible for <br />complying with any new rules. We all share the goal of <br />maintaining and improving the quality of life in Saint Anthony <br />Village, and inclusive dialogue is the surest way to achieve <br />policies that work as intended. <br /> <br />Therefore, I encourage the City Council to: <br /> <br />• Engage with rental license holders (including but not <br />necessarily limited to what you are calling “short-term” and <br />“long-term” rental property owners). Proactively seek their input <br />and listen to their perspectives on the current rental climate <br />and issues of concern. Invite these experts to recommend <br />solutions to any concerns (actual or projected) that the City <br />may have. This could be done through public forums, surveys, <br />or dedicated listening sessions that allow rental property <br />140